Feb 26, 2002
Accident
Substantial Port St. Lucie, FL
Injuries1 fatal
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
The pilots failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in an attempt to return to landing area (Emergency/ departure airport.) This resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Factor to the accident was a partial loss of engine power due to a failed exhaust valve.
NTSB ATL02LA055